A significant 7.4 magnitude earthquake has violently shaken Mindanao, the southernmost major island in the Philippines, prompting urgent tsunami warnings and evacuations. Residents in vulnerable coastal areas have been instructed to move inland or to higher ground as a precautionary measure against potential tsunami waves.
The US Tsunami Warning System has issued an alert, indicating a risk of dangerous waves impacting coastlines within a 300 km radius of the epicenter. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) also confirmed the offshore earthquake near Manay in Davao Oriental.
According to PHIVOLCS, the earliest tsunami waves could reach the country’s shores between 9:43 a.m. and 11:43 a.m. PST on October 10, with subsequent waves possible for several hours. Predicted wave heights could exceed one meter, with amplified surges expected in narrow bays and straits.
The government has advised coastal populations in central and southern Philippines to evacuate. Local authorities have also urged boat owners to secure their vessels and move them to safety, while ships at sea are to remain in deep water until an all-clear is issued.
Damage reports from Davao Oriental describe collapsed buildings and a church. Efforts are underway to assess the full impact and provide necessary assistance. Coastal areas of Indonesia have also received tsunami advisories.